Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, covered Bobby Womack’s “Stop On By” for their 1974 album, Rufusized. The band had broken through with their sophomore album, Rags to Rufus, thanks to the Stevie Wonder composition “Tell Me Something Good” and “You Got The Love,” written by Khan and Ray Parker Jr. They didn’t want to lose their momentum so they quickly recorded Rufusized. Womack and Truman Thomas wrote “You’re Welcome, Stop On By,” which appeared on Womack’s 1974 album, Lookin’ for a Love Again. Commercially speaking, Rufusized was driven by the singles “Once You Get Started” and “Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me Of A Friend)” leaving the band’s cover of “Stop On By” as an album cut. Black radio played the song during night programming and fans were happy to compare both versions since they came out the same year.

Rufusized went platinum and hit the Top Ten on the pop and R&B charts. Their third album announced their arrival as a certified mainstream attraction and tour headliner. Rufus dissolved after their 1983 final studio album, Seal in Red. Chaka Khan had started her solo career in 1978 and those obligations made her role in Rufus difficult. Khan released her 11th studio album, Hello Happiness, in 2019. In 2023, Chaka Khan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Khan is part of The Queens Tour lineup with Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, and Gladys Knight kicking off in the spring of 2025. 

Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, and Stephanie Mills are going on The Queens Tour together. The singing legends will kick off their history-making songfest in May. They will wrap up the first string of dates in June and the second half of the tour will start in September. The four legends are excited to bring their songfest to fans who have loved them and followed their careers for decades. They had a resurgence in popularity during their appearances in the Verzuz online showcase during the pandemic. All of them shared their excitement in statements from a press release:

“Sharing the stage with my amazing sisters is an absolute honor,” says Chaka Khan. “Music is about connection, and this will be a celebration of the joy, power, and love that it brings to us all.”

“I am so excited to join these icons, who I call sisters, on this tour! It’s going to be something special. And I can’t wait to see everyone there,” states Patti Labelle.

“I’m excited to tour with my beautiful sisters! Our different styles unite in love, compassion, and understanding, and it’s important to come together now. Performing with Chaka, Patti, and Gladys for you will be electrifying. We can’t wait to see you,” says Stephanie Mills

Tickets for The Queens Tour are on sale now via BlackPromotersCollective.com. 

        The Queens Tour Dates

• Friday, May 9 – Las Vegas
• Saturday, May 10 – Oakland
• Sunday, May 11 – Los Angeles
• Friday, May 16 – Columbia, SC
• Saturday, May 17 – Birmingham
• Sunday, May 18 – Nashville
• Friday, May 23 – Baltimore
• Saturday, May 24 – Brooklyn
• Friday, May 30 – Chicago
• Saturday, May 31 – Cincinnati
• Sunday, June 1 – Indianapolis

The legendary Chaka Khan aka the Queen of Funk Soul graced the Tiny Desk room to give a show for Black Music Month. NPR wanted to showcase nine Black women artists and Khan is one of them. Khan performs seven of her classics with her band and trio of backup singers including Trina Broussard, Tiffany Smith, and Audrey Wheeler-Downing the lead singer of the ’80s New York dance band Unlimited Touch.  By the time Khan gets to “Sweet Thing,” the audience is singing with and without her. She ends her set with the Ashford & Simpson-penned “I’m Every Woman.” Chaka Khan is on tour this summer. 

Missy Elliott, DJ Kool Herc, The Spinners, Chaka Khan, George Michael, and Don Cornelius were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Elliott is the first female rapper to have the honor. Queen Latifah introduced Elliott before she performed a medley of her hits onstage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn during the induction ceremony on Saturday, November 4th. Jazmine Sullivan introduced Khan, who performed “I Feel For You” with Common rapping Melle Mel’s part. H.E.R. and Sia joined her while she sang “Ain’t Nobody,” “Sweet Thing,” and  “I’m Every Woman.” Khan brought Tony Maiden from Rufus after she accepted her award. New Edition put on a well-choreographed show in tribute to The Spinners, while a Soul Train scenario played out in the background in honor of Don Cornelius. LL Cool J inducted Kool Herc, who accepted his award with his sister Cindy. Andrew Ridgeley, who was one-half of Wham with Michael, inducted his later former bandmate. Miguel, Adam Levine, and Carrie Underwood performed some of Michael’s classics, including “Careless Whisper” and “Faith.”